On Saturday, some brave volunteers stepped up and shaved their heads for a good cause. It was the Saint Baldrick's Foundation head shaving fundraiser in Emeryville. The event was sponsored by Children's Hospital in Oakland and raises money for childhood cancer research. Last year it raised more than $140,000. The idea behind the head shaving is to show solidarity with the young patients who often lose their hair during treatment. A large crowd of pediatric cancer survivors and their families were on hand to cheer on the volunteers.
"I think it's wonderful because they are trying to find cures so people don't have to go through what I went through,”said cancer survivor Janessa Sales.
This is the second year children's hospital sponsored the event.
Beauty school students and hairdressers from local salons gave their shavers a workout Saturday as scores of people visited a mall in Emeryville for the sole purpose of having their heads shaved. From doctors and nurses to mall security guards and even teenage girls, the "shavees," as their name tags described them, sacrificed their locks to raise money for children's cancer research and to give some bald company to cancer-stricken kids who've lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments.
It was a benefit for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, started 10 years ago as a challenge among three friends and replicated around the country and the world. People donate money to see their friends' and colleagues' heads shaved, and all the proceeds go to cancer research. Since the foundation's inception, 72,000 people have had their heads shaved, raising $50 million.
At the local event, run by Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, the goal was to shave 170 heads and raise $100,000. People who went bald said their scalps were surprisingly cold and not as smoothly shaped as they'd hoped.
"I told you my head was lumpy," Dustin Daggs, a 22-year-old security guard, told his buddy as he ran his palm across his head. The guards heard the event was scheduled a couple of weeks ago and debated whether to join in.
"We talked about it, and I was like, 'Nah,' " said Andre Blanson, 29, who changed his mind Saturday. "It supports kids, and it's a noble cause. Cutting your hair shows that looks aren't everything, that it's more important how you feel inside."
A few children who've beat cancer spoke at the event between shaves.
"For those of you who are shaving, I think you rock!" called out Janessa Sales, 15. "Bald is beautiful!"
Brianna Contaxis-Tucker, 13, lived at Children's Hospital for seven months as a 3-year-old suffering from a brain tumor. Her successful surgery was on St. Patrick's Day 10 years ago and she said her family considers her recovery "the luck of the Irish." She now sports long, reddish hair, though she was bald for a while.
"It's really cool," she said of the fundraiser, while noting she's glad to be a decade removed from needing medical care herself. "In a way, like, it's not quite me anymore and that's nice."
Tracey Lum, 14, heard about the fundraiser when a friend got shaved last year and said she decided to lose her chest-length hair this year - despite what kids at school might think.
"People will be, like, staring at me, but I guess it's worth it because it's for a good cause," she said, noting she was shocked when the beautician showed her just how much hair was gone. "I was like, 'Oh my God!'"
Several pediatric residents at Children's Hospital also went under the shaver, including 30-year-old Zarin Noor. She lost several inches of hair, but said it's worth it if it helps some of the children and families she works with every day.
"This is nothing compared to what these kids go through," she said, noting she kind of liked her newly hairless look. So will she keep it? "For now," she said. "Until it grows out."
Janessa enjoying the beach
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About the Authors…
Lorraine Sales and Marie Ferguson have been friends for over 27 years. They have a most cherished friendship. It is through each other that they have ceaselessly learned to embrace some of life’s many tragedies and create triumphs. Despite living 3000 miles apart from each other, they continue to give each other a special strength each day.Writing this book has deeply expanded the healing process in both Lorraine and Marie on many soul and spiritual levels.
Lorraine currently resides in Benicia, California with her husband Albert and daughter Janessa. Her two older daughters live close by with their families. Lorraine takes great pride in caring for her grandchildren during the day.
Marie is currently residing in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband John. Her daughter and her family live close by. Marie has several other books out but feels this is by far the most profound.
Janessa has been in remission or “cancer free” for 3 1/2 years and is currently educating others on cancer awareness and has been actively involved in fundraisers. Many people have been deeply affected by Janessa’s story and how she has overcome many of the challenges along the way. She continues to have a positive attitude and lives her life "in the moment" as she strives towards her very own promising future.
San Francisco All Star Mission
July 2007
Sponsored by All American Hearing
Willie Mayes with Janessa
Hi Lorraine,
It was great meeting you again at Saturday's event in Emeryville. Janessa did such a great job speaking as an honoree. What a great event and big turnout.
Below is the article from the Chronicle that I wanted to forward, in case you haven't seen it, and Janessa was quoted. There are also some great pictures.
As I mentioned to you, I am also attaching a copy of the 2007 letter that we sent out to some of our Children's Hospital friends.
If you have any questions, or have trouble opening up the document, pls. let me know.
Lorraine, you should be proud that you are raising such a remarkable girl. I'm looking forward to seeing your book in print. I'm sure other parents will be inspired by you.
Dear Lorraine: When I was called by the Benicia Unified School District to be the home/hospital teacher for Janessa Sales, a cancer patient, I had no idea how much she would enrich my life. From our first meeting, when she tentatively removed her purple hat to reveal her bald head, careful not to shock me, I was impressed by her consideration of others as well as her buoyancy in facing her near-fatal disease.
For over a year I met with Janessa five days a week to keep her from falling behind in her class work, but it was Janessa who taught me the important lessons, especially about how to face the dark side of life and still be optimistic. I had recently been a breast cancer patient myself and had approached the experience with an overdose of denial becoming a passive participant who preferred to remain ignorant of the procedures I would face. Janessa, on the other hand, learned as much as she could about her disease and medical treatments. Whether it was chemo, brain surgery, or stem cell procedures, Janessa was an informed patient. Without wallowing in her misery, she wanted to understand her experiences. She welcomed the medical staff into her heart and faced her disease head on with her luminous smile always leading the way.
After making an apparently successful recovery, Janessa was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer. I couldn’t imagine how this tired, brave family would endure another round of operations, chemo and the attendant emotional and physical suffering, yet they did. Though weakened, they faced the news this time with teary smiles realizing they would have to dig even deeper within themselves for the strength to survive.
During their second round with the disease I was no longer Janessa’s teacher. Since she was hospitalized more often than not, her teacher was provided through the Oakland School District and Children’s Hospital. Thus I only had sporadic contact with the family, mainly through phone calls. Nevertheless, I could always hear the smiles in their voices even through Janessa’s close call with death. Despair never replaced optimism. They never gave up. I will always remember the way Lorraine and Janessa Sales entered into the darkest days of Janessa’s disease without self-pity but with hope. I’m sure they were an inspiration to everyone who met them, and for me, they still are.
Kay Reid
Janessa with family in hospital
Messages from Friends, Caretakers and Family “Even though Janessa lives in Benicia, Ca., and my wife, Shiao-Huei, and I live in San Diego, my sister Lorraine always kept us informed about Janessa during her battle with brain cancer. Although I was receiving second hand information of Janessa's ordeal, this still had a pro-found affect on me which does not do justice to what Janessa was experiencing first hand.
From 2003 to 2005 Janessa went through brain surgery, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, experimental chemotherapy and hospital stays lasting up to four months. Any "inconveniences" I've experienced in my 58 years pales in comparison to what Janessa has gone through in her 15 short years. Thankfully, Janessa has been cancer free for over three years. I must confess that I don't attend church on a regular basis, but I "always" pray to God for Janessa's health and well being.
Janessa will always be my source for inspiration. When I'm having a bad day, I just think about what Janessa has gone through and I quickly get over what "minute" problems I'm dealing with. I am sure the majority of us may never experience the magnitude of the pain and suffering Janessa has gone through.” -Uncle Rey
“What I remember most about Janessa's Journey is how it began right before her diagnoses. We had brief encounters at family get-togethers, when I noticed that she had a normal healthy fear of strangers of which I was included. Over the course of her therapy we had more brief encounters, where I started to notice a change in her demeanor from simple familiarity and some gentle encouragement (from Auntie Nanny). Can you imagine a fully bearded big eyed stranger trying to get a hug and a kiss (it's not going down)? Janessa's journey also encompasses a family’s enrichment through her resiliency. I am proud to say that our last encounter left me in awe of a happy, articulate, dynamo of a human being !!At Mission Beach- remember, Janessa”- Napoleon Jr.
“We would like to say that, Janessa has always been a very bright and cheerful baby, even before she could walk or talk. Janessa had herown way of getting your attention, by carrying on very intelligent conversations, like at the age of five. Oh yeah, Janessa is not shy by a long shot, she has such a good memory of everyone and almost everything and loves to talk to anyone who will listen to her. We have watched Janessa grow through the good and sad moments in her life. But Janessa has been strong and has stayed brave throughout her medical condition. Probably holding up better than we as adults could ever do. These are the characteristics that Janessa has, that can and will get Janessa the opportunity to get whatever she need throughout her life. Janessa has grown into a cute, young intelligent lady today, who is strong and very determined to understand her medical situation and to do whatever she is capable of doing.And always having time to live with life’s ups and down with the help of family and friends. WE LOVE YOU JANESSA. Lots of Love, Hugs & Kisses” - Uncle Napoleon & Auntie Gail
"Janessa was such a joy to take care of. She has such a positive outlook, and that definitely was present everyday she was here. Also, it was her positivity that made it such a pleasure to take care of her. Her smile, her attitude, her energy is remarkable. She made her stay here as enjoyable as she possibly could, given her circumstances. That is something I wish she would help all patients to have. She made our shifts fun, and exciting." - Katie Karst-
"Whenever I took care of Janessa, she would have some project going ( because she was always busy! ). She would make you feel like you were the best nurse ( or doctor or aide or food service person ) she'd ever met, and engage you in an enthusiastic discussion of her pictures. For all the time she spent in a hospital room, she never let her great spirit lapse, let alone felt sorry for herself. Love to you !" - Mary Jo -
"Janessa always had a smile on her face when she was in the hospital, and she was so polite and thankful for everything, even when she wasn't feeling good. She is a sweet, affectionate, caring girl who has an easy time expressing herself. That made it so easy to take care of her !" -Rebecca Niemi-
"Janessa was such a tremendous "So you think you can dance" fan. We used to watch it together. There was one contestant, Melody Laceyanga, that Janessa and I were both rooting for. Janessa would let me know of the beginning of my shift if the program was on that night, and we would agree to meet in her room to watch. It was a lot of fun. Janessa also loves to sing and dance. One of her favorite songs at the time was, "move it like this" by "Baha Men". She would sing and dance and always have the biggest smile on her face. She's a tremendous young lady who has left a lasting impression on me. All the Best" - Chuck Leca - Rn. 5 South
"She impressed me as a very positive young lady, with a vibrant thirst for life: She was always very outgoing, very respectful, and always Thankful for whatever was done for her. And on her behalf: I think with the kind of spirit she has she encourage others in their fight for life, and all it had to offer. She had a very cheerful way about her that was like a fire, whom ever she was around they could not allow themselves to be sad or pitiful of their circumstances. With her courageous attitude, if you were around her with any negative attitude it would become diminished because of her positive karma. She always smile through her tears, her pain, and if there were any sadness she never expressed any. She always, always was an exemplary patient/person." -Dee- Deloise Alexander
"The bravest person in the world lived in the body of a ten year old girl. Who knew she would go into battle not once but twice in her life time and that I would be given the honor of taking care of her and witnessing the wonders of life and love. There are no words grand enough to explain the miracles that I have witnessed during this journey."-Mom "This incredible story is told through her mother's eyes. With her strength, devotion and imagination, through her love for her daughter, along with strong faith and prayers, they learned what it really means to "live in the moment"! They made each and every second of Janessa's life count. Even through their darkest moments, they created precious memories that they will forever hold sacred."- Auntie M.
November 28, 2007 Dear Friend: A few weeks ago, I met Dr. Joe Torkildson, director of Neuro-oncology for Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, and one of his patients – a teenager named Janessa – at an event to honor some of the hospital’s donors and supporters.
You may remember reading about Janessa in the last issue of HandPrints.In 2005, the 14-year-old was diagnosed with a brain cancer that didn’t respond to traditional treatments at another hospital.At Children’s, Dr. Torkildson recommended a high-dose of chemotherapy and a bone marrow stem cell transplant, and it worked.Today, Janessa is an active and cancer-free young woman who dreams of becoming a teacher and a writer.
I watched Dr. Torkildson eagerly describe Janessa’s treatment and recovery to our guests.Janessa wore a brightly colored string of beads – her “beads of courage” – and explained that each bead represented a treatment she underwent at Children’s.Her necklace was more than three feet long, but the largest heart-shaped bead indicated that her cancer treatments were complete. Janessa’s story was no doubt inspiring to everyone who met her that night.But it was a brief exchange I happened to witness that made my evening so memorable:
As our guests were saying their goodbyes and preparing to leave, Janessa looked up at her oncologist and threw her arms around him, bear-hug style.“Thank you, Dr. Torkildson,” Janessa said.“I love you.” “I love you too, Janessa,” he responded.
I know that you share my enthusiasm for Children’s Hospital, and for the doctors, nurses, residents, and patients who are the heart and soul of this organization.No one likes to get sick, break a bone, or spend six months living in hospital like Janessa.But it is comforting to know that families facing any medical crisis have a resource like Children’s in their community –a place for children to get healthy, as well as a place of unconditional love and support.
That’s an organization I am proud to be a part of, and one I thank you for supporting.On behalf of everyone at Children’s, please accept my sincere gratitude for your role as a vital partner in our work to enhance the lives and well-being of children throughout Northern California – and beyond.
My warmest regards to you and your family this holiday season,
Director of Philanthropy
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